chelate

[ kee-leyt ]

adjective

1. Chemistry.
   1. of or noting a heterocyclic compound having a central metallic ion attached by covalent bonds to two or more nonmetallic atoms in the same molecule.
   2. of or noting a compound having a cyclic structure resulting from the formation of one or more hydrogen bonds in the same molecule.
2. Zoology. having a chela or chelae.

noun

1. Chemistry. a chelate compound.

verb (used without object)

, Chemistry.

, che·lat·ed, che·lat·ing.

1. (of a heterocyclic compound) to react to form a chelate.
2. (of a compound) to form a ring by forming one or more hydrogen bonds.

verb (used with object)

, che·lat·ed, che·lat·ing.

1. Chemistry. to combine (an organic compound) with a metallic ion to form a chelate.

chelate

/ ˈkiːleɪt /

noun

1. chem a coordination compound in which a metal atom or ion is bound to a ligand at two or more points on the ligand, so as to form a heterocyclic ring containing a metal atom

adjective

1. zoology of or possessing chelae
2. chem of or denoting a chelate

verb

1. intr chem to form a chelate

chelate

/ kē′lāt′ /

1. A chemical compound in the form of a ring that contains a metal ion attached by coordinate bonds to at least two nonmetal ions. Many commercial dyes as well as important biological substances, such as chlorophyll and the heme of hemoglobin, are chelates.

Other Words From

• chelat·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chelate¹

First recorded in 1820–30; chel(a) ¹ + -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of chelate¹

C20: from chela ¹

Example Sentences

Williams eventually got "disability which covered the costs of her WD drugs…but only after her liver, kidneys & nervous system suffered without the copper chelating medicine," Lynda wrote.

From Fox News

They contain surfactants, which keep loosened soil suspended in water, and chelating agents, which keep mineral deposits from forming.

From Washington Post

Adding a chelating chemical to bind calcium can dissolve some gels, and enzymes can be used to digest matrix materials.

From Nature

Zilberstein had brought two sets: one for removing proteins and a new prototype, which contained chelating agents, a type of compound that can extract heavy metals.

From The New Yorker

McCluskey went through intense chelating treatments to reduce the amount of radiation in his body.

From Washington Times